§ Mr. Ashdownasked the Secretary of State for Social Services what is his policy on the purchase for the use of his Department or the recommendation for use in departmental establishments of computers or software 119W which are subject to extra-territorial constraints as to their use, movement or resale or export; and if he will make a statement.
§ Mr. MajorThe Central Computer and Telecommunications Agency acts as contractual agent for almost all computer equipment purchased by the DHSS. The exceptions are generally minor hardware items worth less than £5,000, and software items worth less than £500.
Decisions about the purchase of these minor items are made on the basis of all the relevant circumtances at the time. This Department does not recognise the extraterritorial claim to jurisdiction implicit in the United States export control laws.